Tales and Fables

A lion discovering justice, a falcon saving his king, a crow testing her brood, and a hen watching them grow: Tolstoy needs very few words to depict animals as a mirror of humanity.

This volume gathers 48 short tales by Lev Tolstoj, adapted for children by Alessandra Cassinelli and illustrated by Attilio. Animals and human characters face small, concrete situations that invite reflection on fairness, responsibility, kindness, and learning. Each story closes with a brief concluding line that clarifies its meaning without over-explaining.

Attilio’s illustrations accompany the text with a direct and thoughtful visual approach, respectful of both the original stories and young readers.

With their timeless wisdom, these fables remain a must-read for anyone who loves classic literature.

A delightful collection of tales for little ones.

Key Selling Points:

– Tolstoj for young readers: 48 classic stories adapted with care to preserve the author’s voice while ensuring accessibility for children.

– Timeless stories, simple words: short narratives rooted in everyday life, offering profound reflections free from rhetorical excess.

– Illustrated by Attilio: the unmistakable illustrations by Attilio Cassinelli perfectly complements the text with visual clarity and a child-centred gaze.

Author & Illustator:

Attilio is the master of minimalist storytelling. He is an internationally acclaimed painter, designer, and illustrator whose work has shaped the landscape of Italian children’s literature for decades. His extraordinary career was crowned by a Special Jury Award at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, a testament to his global influence. Other prestigious honours include the Andersen Special Jury Award (2017) and the Nati per Leggere Award (2017 with Little Red Riding Hood and 2020 with Primo).

In 2021, the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome dedicated a monographic exhibition to him: Evergreen. The Story of Attilio.

This marked a historic milestone, as it was the first time this prestigious institution opened its doors to the language of illustration, showcasing over eighty original works, studies, and models. His international impact was further recognised in 2022, when El País, Spain’s leading newspaper, dedicated a major feature to him for his 99th birthday.

Attilio passed away in June 2024 at the age of one hundred, leaving behind a limitless legacy. His work continues to be celebrated today: in 2026, the exhibition Attilio – Il castello dei bambini honours the genius of an artist who made simplicity an immortal art form.

His books are not just stories, but masterful exercises in visual synthesis, created to foster a child’s first encounter with art and narrative. His work is an enduring dialogue between geometry and emotion, designed to speak directly to the youngest readers.